A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gregor family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3360 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three boars pass. az. a chief of the last”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Gregor Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gregor arms are recorded
The Gregor arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Gregor arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Gregor Family in Scotland
The surname Gregor finds its roots in the ancient Gaelic name Griogair, which is derived from the Greek word for watchful or alert. In Scotland, this name became deeply associated with the Clan Gregor, a group that faced significant political challenges and legal restrictions during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. By the time members of the family were documented living in Edinburgh in 1748, the name had moved beyond its highland origins and was becoming established in the growing urban centers of the Lowlands. During this period, Edinburgh was a hub of intellectual and social change, and families bearing the name were likely participating in the city’s expanding trade and professional life. This transition from a clan-based identity to a settled urban presence reflects the broader shifts in Scottish society as the country moved toward the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, three boars az. on a chief of the second a lion pass. of the first”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Gregor Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Gregor arms are recorded
The Gregor arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Gregor arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Gregor Family in England
The surname Gregor traces its roots to the ancient Greek name Gregorios, which means watchful or alert. By the time the name became established in England, it had evolved through various linguistic shifts, often appearing in records as a variant of Gregory. The presence of the family in York by 1620 suggests they were part of a period of significant social and economic movement in Northern England. During the early seventeenth century, York served as a vital hub for trade and administration, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. While the name was historically more common in Scotland, its appearance in English parish registers and local records during this era highlights the migration of families across regional borders. These early members in York likely integrated into the local community as craftsmen or merchants, contributing to the city's identity during a time of great change in English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gregorius
Derived from the Greek word for watchful, alert, or vigilant.
This name
GregorA Scottish surname originating from the Gaelic Mac Griogair, meaning son of the alert one.
also spelled
Greigour
Related arms
Gragor, or Gregorsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, 1748
Scottish Record Society, Register of Marriages for the Parish of Edinburgh, 1701–1750
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
boarA fierce fighter who battles to the end
lionCourage, strength and royalty
